Manhood and Marriage

Front matter

Mr. and Mrs. Bernarr Macfadden and Children, Byrnece, Beulah, Braunda and Helen

Preface

We are living in a remarkable period. The developments and vicissitudes of modern life and our disregard of nature's laws have combined to produce a state of disease and suffering the extent of which will shock those not informed. Ask any doctor! Examine the records of any city, or of any hospital, see the startling statistics.

The older civilizations, Oriental and European, have learned to cope with these conditions; our struggles are restricted by the prudishness and superficiality of those who say "why talk of such things." Our Public Health authorities as instanced by the Portland, Oregon Board of Health and the Indiana State Board of Health, have been awakened to the realization of the enormous inroads upon public health through the lack of sex knowledge and sex hygiene, and are accomplishing marvelous good through their educational activities.

This book has been written by one who has made the subject a life study, but it is not worth a cent, nor a moment of the time of any one to whom knowledge on these subjects is of no importance.

Extraordinary difficulties were encountered in the preparation of this book. A large part of the details discussed within its pages are too often classed as unmentionable. This prudish attitude has been the direct cause of misery, pain, and weakness, that have scourged their victims beyond the power of description. But the truth is mighty, and truth that is pitifully and tragically needed to assuage pains, to overcome weakness, and defeat death, cannot with intelligence be ignored or suppressed. This book is literally crammed with plain information of this sort. It is written for the thousands who are in dire need of this special knowledge. It does not cater to the pruriency of the curious, it does not dwell on any so-called forbidden topic, except for the purpose of disseminating important, life-saving information. Sometimes it is necessary to speak plainly. Plain talk is most terribly needed in connection with this vastly important theme. We have realized, however, that the purpose of this book might be misunderstood, that in our enthusiasm we might present important truths in a manner which might possibly be considered by those not aware of our object, as offensive.

In order to avoid a possible mistake of this sort, extreme precaution has been taken. We asked a prominent Sunday School official in one of the largest States in the Union, to go over the book carefully, and change any statement therein that could possibly offend even the most fastidious reader. After doing so, he stated that he could find nothing that could in any way be termed objectionable. He suggested various changes, however, which he thought might make the book more acceptable to those who had not previously studied this subject. All the changes suggested by this religious teacher who is practically a specialist in directing the growing minds of youths—were made. Also we asked a well-known minister who has given a great deal of time to what is known as purity work, to read the book and suggest changes that he might think appropriate. All the changes thought desirable by this progressive clergyman were made.

Believing that another phase of the book might be questioned, we sought the opinion of medical men regarding that side of the subject. Their verdict was satisfactory in every detail. They agreed with the author that the methods of treatment recommended could be depended upon to the extent indicated and that the way to defeat disease is through knowledge.

We, therefore, feel that in sending out this book we are not only presenting extraordinary important truths, but that they are set forth in a manner that even to the most sensitive or prudish mind will not be in the slightest degree objectionable.

Manhood of a superior degree is of truly extraordinary value. It is an asset beyond price. Thousands of young men, and those that are not young, can be wonderfully benefited by carc- fully following the instructions to be found in the pages of this volume. May it go out and carry its important truths to every human soul struggling for the light so sorely needed amid the pitfalls of life's pathway.

Chapter 1

NO one can estimate the value of strong manhood. It is a physical asset that is beyond valuation, and beyond price. Vigorous manhood may come to one naturally through inheritance, and in the first flush of youth one may enjoy the turbulent exaltation that comes with the supreme force of superb virility without giving any special thought to the matter; but you can rest assured that if this splendid possession is retained even to middle age, you must have adhered, at least to a reasonable degree, to the laws that govern the retention of manly powers.

The advantage of being a perfect man—vigorous, resourceful, fearless! Who can describe it? Can we attempt to define this glorious possession in mere words? No! Manhood is the crowning glory of a masculine career. Some reach the zenith of its splendid heights through good birth. Others, less fortunate, are compelled, to a certain extent, to develop these valuable powers. But whether you have cultivated and developed them, or have come by them through the blessing of vigorous inheritance, the importance of the knowledge associated with the development and maintenance of virile manhood cannot be too strongly emphasized. Every man should desire to know the rules of health which favor the building of a high degree of virility. He should know those laws which must be observed in order to retain his manhood. There is no phase of life in which knowledge is more sadly needed.

In taking up a subject of this character it is necessary, in the first place, that we should approach it from the proper point of view. It is absolutely essential that we should regard it with pure minds rather than from the militant morality and foul-minded viewpoint of the prude. The impure mental attitude toward sex and sex problems, with the prudery and ignorance that have grown out of it, has been responsible for more human suffering, weakness and tragedy than all the wars of the world.

"To the pure in heart, all things are pure." But to the prude the most sacred facts of life are vulgar and impure. Prudery is simply the expression of an unclean state of mind suppressed artificially and in its very nature depends upon pruriency and a perverted mental attitude toward the most holy of all functions. The more conspicuous the pose of prudery, as a rule, the greater is the impurity of mind thereby indicated.

Remember that there is nothing and can be nothing inherently unclean in sex. The sexual life is simply one of the great forces of nature. It represents merely the divine plan by which life is perpetuated upon the earth. If there is anything sacred in this world, it is surely the function of reproduction. It is the highest of all functions. It is the most important of all functions. These facts are beyond the possibility of contradiction. And for this reason there can be nothing inherently evil in sex passion. Let us have a clear and definite understanding upon this point. The sex instinct is simply the race instinct, the instinct of racial self-preservation.

There is nothing impure in sex, but there is in the abuse of it. Indecency is simply a question of behavior, and cannot possibly be an attribute of any part of the body. The body has been rightly termed the "Temple of God." Impurity, if present, lies in the contemplating mind, and not in the body, or in any part of it. Sex passion has often been referred to as our animal nature or lower nature. This conception is the natural result of the perverted point of view that has been fostered through prudery. The minds of civilized men and women have been saturated with this form of mental poison, but it requires only a little common sense to see not only the absurd but even the blasphemous character of such a view. The sex instinct is the source of all that is sweet, beautiful and ennobling in the love of man and woman. It is the divine force that brings them together, and that holds them together. It is only the abuse of the function that one needs to be ashamed of—a question of misbehavior. And it is only when the mental attitude is wrong, and sexuality is without restraint, that it becomes sensuality.

With this fundamental understanding as to the proper attitude of mind toward the whole subject, we may consider the various problems associated with it seriously, earnestly and honestly.

To be strongly sexed means to be thoroughly alive, to be vital, to be vigorous in every other respect as well. To be strongly sexed does not mean the possession of mere localized strength in the reproductive system, for sex is related to the entire organism, the mind as much as the body. Remember that sexuality is not merely a physical quality. It is a quality expressed as much in the mind and spirit as in the emotional body. It pervades one's entire being. And it is partly for this reason that the subject is of such all-embracing importance.

The importance of the sexual glands as a factor in the all-round strength of the body and mind is not generally understood. For in addition to their special function of reproduction they supply what is often called an "internal secretion," the importance of which in the general bodily economy cannot be overestimated. In this respect they are like the so-called ductless glands, which have an importance in the bodily processes out of all proportion to their size. The thyroid gland, for instance, has a function in the regulation of various processes so important that when it is lacking in childhood, or its function seriously impaired, the result is a lack of physical and mental growth, lack of resistance, and a form of idiocy known as cretinism. Another tiny ductless gland, the pituitary body, has a similarly mysterious but profound influence on growth, strength and health. In the same way the sexual glands in both sexes are vitally related to the strength and growth of the body as a whole.

How important these sexual glands are, and just what virility means in relation to strength of mind and body, is made clear by the condition of those deprived of them in childhood. The operation of removing the testicles is known as castration, and a person so emasculated is known as a eunuch. Castration is a practice not uncommon in parts of the Orient. It is usually performed upon the persons of slaves. The lesson taught by the eunuch is found in his lack of all manly qualities, both physical and mental. His high-pitched, childish voice, undeveloped body, physical weakness, lack of vital resistance and short life all indicate clearly the importance of the glands of which he has been deprived. The beard does not grow, as in the case of the virile man, the voice does not change, the muscles lack density and firmness and the nerves are weak—all of these conditions indicating a lack of general constitutional vigor due to the loss of the "internal secretion," the substances normally supplied to the living fabric by the testicles.

And what is, perhaps, of even greater importance, the effect upon the mind is just as serious as upon the body. The eunuch is never more than the merest child mentally. IIe lacks courage. He lacks ambition. He lacks the power of mental concentration. He lacks every mental quality that distinguishes men of great virility.

The same lesson is to be gained from a study of castrated animals. Compare the meekness and weakness of the ox with the spirit and power of the fiery bull. Compare the spirit and physical energy of the stallion with the mild qualities and lesser strength of the gelding. It is well known that horses are castrated simply to make them tame and safe for driving. Emasculated pigs produce fat in larger quantities than normally, which means that they are less firm and vigorous than in their natural state, and constitutionally inferior. When fawns are castrated before the appearance of their horns the latter do not grow at all. The mere question of horns may not seem important, but such conditions indicate deep-seated constitutional deficiencies, and they accompany similar deficiencies of mind and spirit. Certainly you, reader, would not wish to undergo such an operation in order to make you "tame" and capable of "easy and safe driving."

These facts are all important as showing the value of virility. Any weakening of this power means a weakening of mental capacity, a diminution of courage and of all other qualities that go with superior manhood. Weakened sexuality means a lack of ambition, a lack of enthusiasm, a lack of energy—in fact, a lack of everything that makes life worth living.

Now, castration is not practiced in civilized communities. But there are abuses and vices which accomplish gradually the same result, that is to say, as is attained suddenly by this operation. It is partly the purpose of this book to make clear the influence of these abuses. Those who might shrink with horror at the suggestion of such unsexing by operation, do, nevertheless, proceed at times to gradually bring about a similar result. The fact is that any abuse of the organs of sex will tend to impair their power. This lesson cannot be too strongly emphasized and these abuses will be considered in detail in later chapters.

It is absolutely necessary to live a clean life and a normal life in order to maintain the health of the sexual glands and the superb mental and physical powers that go with them. This is more important in youth than at any other period, though the rule applies throughout one's entire adult life. One cannot violate the laws of life in this respect and escape the punishment. It is necessary to reach maturity with these powers unimpaired, and thereafter to continue to avoid abuses in order to attain and retain the mental alertness and energy, the courage, the self-confidence, the ambition, and also the physical stamina that characterize true manhood.

If you are not a man, what are you? To be a male and not a man, to wear the clothes indicative of the male sex and realize that you are masquerading—a hypocrite, a pretender—is indeed a torturous experience. But remember that if you really are a man in every sense of the word, then you are in possession of all the forces that go with superior virility—for virility is nothing more than the physical expression of manly qualities. You cannot possibly possess these superior qualities without being virile. It may be definitely and positively stated that every superior quality of mind and body is to a large extent dependent upon the characteristics and emotions associated with strongly sexed manhood.

Chapter 2

"AM I a man?" When this query cannot be answered satisfactorily, when you feel that there is a doubt as to the possession of the qualities essential to true manhood, then indeed is your position difficult. You will at least realize the necessity for facing, squarely and honestly, a problem that is momentous.

Are you a complete man? If the answer is "No," then the duties and responsibilities associated with the development of the manhood which you do not possess should be immediately assumed. The question may not be easily settled in all cases. In fact, some men who are virile in every way may be in doubt as to what should be the answer to this plain question. To a large extent the pitiful prudery of the present day is responsible for this difficulty.

As a rule, however, if you possess ordinary physical vigor, if your organs are healthy in every way so far as you know, if the functions of digestion and assimilation are apparently carried on satisfactorily, you can practically depend upon the possession of manly powers. It is well to remember, however, that when the answer is doubtful there is, in practically every instance, no physical evidence of the possession of superior vitality. When you possess the pulsating, vibrating forces of life and health in all their splendid perfection, there is always plain evidence of virility. There is then no question about a man's being a man. He feels it and knows it every day of his life.

It is certainly a good plan for a young man, when he is doubtful upon such an important matter, to ask himself some very plain questions. He should have a good, plain talk with himself. And let him first of all be strictly honest with himself. "Do I possess all the strength, health and manhood that I can attain? Have I wasted my vitality and vigor? Has my heredity been a handicap, or have my forefathers invested me with a reasonable amount of physical capital? In what way am I wanting? In what way am I defective? Am I doing all I can to build superior virility? Am I as good a man as I can be?"

These questions should be asked in all sincerity, and the answers that will come thereto will, to a certain extent, give one an idea of the course of action necessary under the circumstances. If a careful examination of the inner recesses of your own soul indicates to you the need for more manhood, and the need for certain efforts upon your part with a view to cultivating your physical forces, then your pathway is plain. Make a careful study of this, and other books, and lay out a plan of action. Begin a campaign that has for its purpose the development of superior vitality and the splendid man- hood associated therewith. In succeeding chapters of this book detailed instructions will be given you for this purpose.

Naturally, along with the various questions associated with the ascertaining of your physical condition, will come the query, "Am I fit to marry?"

The answer to this question will assume supreme importance at some time in your life. There may be periods when the replies thereto will torture your soul almost beyond endurance. For there comes a time in the life of every man when he wants to marry, that is, provided he is a real, well-sexed man. And when that time comes, when the right girl has been found, if a man feels that he is defective, or that there is some taint within his organism that will mar the sanctity of the marital tie, then indeed does he face difficulties that assume tragic importance.

In determining whether or not one is fit to marry, the first query will of course be concerned with one's physical condition. Are you a healthy, well-developed man? Are there any serious vital defects? Even after these questions have been favorably answered, there are still others. Is it possible that there is any venereal infection lingering within your organism? Does alcohol taint and devitalize your blood? If you have been tainted with any venereal disease, at least be absolutely sure that all traces of the complaint have disappeared, by means of blood tests. If your blood is poisoned with al- cohol, turn over a new leaf. Eliminate the drink habit from your life (and do not marry until every trace of its evil effects has disappeared).

If you are weak sexually, then the problem before you pertains to the development of the vigor and vitality which will overcome a condition of this sort. It is true that in some cases one is advised to marry with a view to remedying weaknesses of this sort. In many instances the remedy is worse than the disease. This is especially true when the ordinary excesses associated with marriage are permitted and practiced. If the marital relationship were assumed with a woman thoroughly informed as to the conditions, then possibly a man's sexual strength might increase as a result of marriage. This would be practically impossible, however, if the woman should happen to be of a passionate sort. Where she is entirely normal, or but little influenced by sexual emotions, a man might, in some instances, safely hope for a gradual improvement (though in all cases there is a considerable risk in contracting marriage under such circumstances).

Chapter 3

THE marriage problem assumes importance very early in the life of every man. Many contend that men can live a continent life indefinitely, without being harmed thereby, and such a contention would be upheld by the facts, in the case of some men, but in the majority of instances a man demands a mate. This is a God-given law. You can see it evolving throughout the entire animal world, and from the standpoint of sexuality we belong to the animal world. The instincts and emotions associated with sexual life are shared to a large extent by what we term "the lower animals."

Many persons have led continent lives for years, without sustaining any harm by reason of their abstinence. In many such instances, their lives have been exceedingly useful to the community. Such people are the exception, not the rule, and in this instance we are not selecting unusual examples. We are simply discussing the ordinary, average man, as he is.

The sex instinct begins to assert itself at an early age. In many individuals it becomes noticeable far earlier than it should, because of the prudery that is found almost everywhere. The curiosity aroused in childish minds by the secrecy and deception practiced in regard to sex subjects, naturally increases interest in the theme, and consequently the sexual characteristics are prematurely developed in both sexes.

As a result of this evil, boys, and less frequently girls, fall into devitalizing habits. The sexual vice known as masturbation stimulates the premature secretion of the seminal fluid, and after the boy has learned the evil of his way, and is able to control himself, this rich fluid continues to be secreted too rapidly, resulting, in practically every instance, in constant losses. This question will be discussed in detail later on. These facts are presented here to show how present conditions tend to create an abnormal sexual appetite.

If a boy can escape masturbation, he will usually be almost entirely free from nocturnal losses, though some experts maintain that normally they occur from two to four times monthly. However, if masturbation is avoided the sexual appetite will not be so insistent. As a rule men who have maintained a continent life for a long period have also been free from masturbation and the evil which follows thereafter.

We may, however, just as well come out and face the problem squarely and honestly, and acknowledge that marriage is the normal condition for nearly all men. The desire for sexual gratification is the strongest force in human nature. Even the craving for food is less imperative, and often of minor importance. Every healthy, strong, virile man must, therefore, realize the necessity for marriage. He must marry somebody, and should carefully choose his mate early in life. Early marriage is advantageous largely because it saves a man from all the diseases and excesses associated with prostitution, as well as from other evils.

To be sure, the economic question assumes considerable importance when marriage comes up for consideration, but we are not attempting to settle that phase of the problem. If you have avoided masturbation, if you can be satisfied with a continent life and are apparently enjoying a normal degree of vigor and vitality while adhering thereto, there can be no objection to your continuing it. Such temperance, however, is the exception.

We hear much about the attractions of bachelorhood. Single blessedness, so-called, is frequently applauded. But in many instances bachelorhood is associated with immoralities of the worst sort. True enough the bachelor may be rarely strictly virtuous and continent-but more frequently he is the opposite. There are no marital ties to bind him, and he feels free to act as his masculine instincts may dictate, so that not infrequently he preys upon the wives and sisters of his friends and associates.

To be sure we are not so silly as to maintain that a marriage ceremony in itself hallows all sexual relations, or that such a ceremony would definitely insure that every sexual relation would be beneficial. Neither when speaking of marriage, do we refer to all unions sanctioned by the law. True marriage presupposes a keen and intense love between a man and a woman. It is this love that cements the marital bond and marriage lasts just so long as this strong affection exists. If a man and woman break the laws of sexual life, if they outrage what should be our most holy instincts, then they must suffer the penalty. Love which may have brought to each a divine joy, an ecstatic bliss, disappears, and in its place will come often a feeling of mutual disgust, or even hatred, each for the other. Where such a feeling exists, it is a decree or decision rendered by the Most High that this man and this woman should no longer live together. They have already been divorced, and we would therefore say: What God has rent asunder, let no man join together.

There are some men who cannot marry because of financial reasons. When one is so placed that marriage is practically impossible on this account, what advice can be given?

In many instances where marriage is considered impossible, there are ways and means whereby it might be satisfactorily arranged. But let us admit that there are instances in which a man is compelled to support a mother or sisters, and in which marriage would not allow him to continue to carry responsibilities that he feels are imperatively fastened upon him. Or let us take others in which a satisfactory life partner cannot be secured. What is a man to do under such circumstances?

The average book dealing with this subject will advise a continent life. Most writers will say that such a man must adhere to this strict régime until his circumstances have so changed that he can legally and properly take to himself a wife. The writers of these idealistic volumes forget that they are dealing under such circumstances with human problems that are varied in nature.

It must be admitted that when a man can follow advice of this nature it will generally be the better for him in the end; but we are dealing with human instincts and human passions that often go beyond control. The fact that we are forbidden marriage because of economic or other reasons does not necessarily take us away from all associations with the opposite sex. And with a virile man such companionship is bound at times to arouse passions and desires that seek satisfaction. What is a man to do under such circumstances? The problem is indeed hard to solve. The question involved in a situation of this kind is largely as to whether or not the man will be harmed through attempting to lead a continent life, or whether it would pay to incur the risks of disease that attend deviations from the paths of moral rectitude. In other words, are we to follow the usual policy and lay down a definite rule of strict continence to the men who cry for help under such circumstances?

The problem in every instance is varied and individual in nature. As previously stated some men can live a continent life for a great number of years without serious injury to their capacities, mental, moral, or physical. Other men, however, are so constituted that the question of a sexual mate assumes a dominating character that is actually terrifying. Such men will find a continent life practically impossible and, with their particular natures, if they possessed the determination to adhere to a régime of this character it would, perhaps, be productive of injury—though perhaps not more than a certain slight decline in vitality. But under such circumstances we are dealing with what might be termed impossibilities. Such men will not remain continent when temptation comes their way. What are we to advise in such cases?

Where the demand for the associations of marriage are so dominating in character, the situation, regardless of all other conditions, demands marriage. And it is unquestionably better that the marriage should conform to the legal and conventional standards. No matter how you may try to avoid other associations and responsibilities that your instincts crave, you cannot avoid the very definite commands of your cravings for a sexual mate.

The man who finds himself possessed of these imperative sexual demands, if allowed freely to associate with members of the opposite sex, will surely find a mate. There is no question about that. The only way a man of this kind can remain continent is to live the life of a hermit, or not meet enough of the opposite sex, and even under such circumstances there is a strong possibility or even probability of his acquiring secret sexual vices that are fearfully destructive in nature. Therefore, although you may be impressed with the idea that you are economically or otherwise so situated that marriage is impossible, yet when you find yourself mated, you should so arrange your affairs that the legal responsibilities associated therewith can be satisfactorily assumed. There is really no other solution of this problem that is tolerable or possible.

Whatever mistakes you may make, avoid the prostitute and the diseases that she carries. Tainted more in body than in soul, she should be shunned as poison. Remember also that the clandestine prostitute, masquerading under the cloak of decency, perhaps as stage performer, a shop girl, housemaid, or in some other form, is even more dangerous than the street-walker. Furthermore, aside from the dangers of venereal poisoning, intimate relations with women of this sort are destructive to character and mind as well as to body.